Dreams come true: Putul’s two-decade journey earns first National Award

Aynun Naher Putul’s Best Actress win for “Saatao” at the National Film Awards 2023 came as an unexpected but welcome moment in her two-decade-long career. An independent, crowd-funded film, “Saatao”—internationally known as “Memories of Gloomy Monsoons”—is directed by Khandaker Sumon and claimed three major honours at this year’s National Film Awards, including Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Film. The film also received international recognition, including screenings at major festivals abroad and winning the Best Feature Film award. The Daily Star spoke to Putul about the film, her career journey, and her newly launched theatre production house.

Congratulations on such a big win! Must you be on cloud 9 right now?
 

Thank you so much! Honestly, it still feels unreal. It feels like I’m in a daze, as if this is a dream that might break at any moment. I’ve been shooting since morning, I have a live programme later, and the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. I haven’t really had the chance to sit with the feeling yet.
 

‘Saatao’ faced uncertainty in its early days. What was that phase like?
 

At one point, we weren’t even sure whether the film would be made, let alone released. We couldn’t find anyone willing to invest in it. Eventually, it was made with public funding. From there, it travelled to different places, won awards, and today it has reached this point.

When you worked in ‘Saatao’, did you ever imagine it would win a National Film Award?
 

Not at all. When we were making the film, we never thought it would go on to receive a National Film Award. Our only focus was to do the work properly. Personally, I was deeply drawn to the character. I felt that if I didn’t play this role, there would be a sense of incompleteness in my acting career. That desire is what led me to take on the role.

In your career of two decades, you’ve worked across theatre, television and films. Tell us how the journey began. 
 

It started in childhood in Jamalpur, through Monimela Khelaghor. From a very young age, I was drawn to singing, acting and dance. My interest in the arts was always stronger than my interest in formal studies. I studied Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University. I completed my Honours and Master’s there, then an MPhil in Film, and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Film Studies. My brother and my teachers encouraged me to take this path. I’ve been a founding member of Theatre Arshinagar since 2012. Theatre is my emotional nourishment.
 

There were periods when you stepped away from work altogether.

Yes, there were years when I didn’t work at all. My mother was unwell, and that naturally slowed everything down. And then my child was born, and I had to take a break as well. Life doesn’t always move in a straight line.

You’ve also recently stepped into production. What led to that decision?
 

It’s a very recent step. My husband and I felt we could try to see what happens. There wasn’t a detailed plan—we simply decided to begin. And then, quite unexpectedly, this moment arrived.

You’ve worked on many major projects with legendary Humayun Ahmed. How significant was your experience of working with him?

It was incredibly significant. At the time, I was very young, and working with him became part of my learning process. You don’t learn everything through academic study—experience shapes you. My first project with him was “Chandra Karigor”, and the last was “Ghetuputro Komola”. I also worked on “Chhitika” in 2012, which was written by him. Observing his direction and working under him enriched my understanding of acting. Being able to work with him remains one of my greatest achievements.